Following a PIL with widespread allegations against the functioning of Reliance Group’s animal rescue centre Vantara located in Gujarat’s Jamnagar, the Supreme Court on Monday constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT). The SIT will investigate allegations against Anant Ambani’s Vantara (Greens Zoological Rescue and Rehabilitation Centre) run by the Reliance Foundation regarding how it sources animals from India and abroad, how the animals are treated and complaints regarding issues of financial compliance. The SIT has been directed to submit the report by September 12, 2025.

The SIT will probe the compliance with the provisions of the Wildlfie Protection Act and other relevant statutes in the acquisition of animals from India and abroad, particularly elephants. The SIT will be assisted by the Central Zoo Authority, the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) Management Authority, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, and the State Government of Gujarat, including its Forest and Police Departments.

A bench comprising Justice Pankaj Mithal and Justice Prasanna B Varale passed the order while hearing a PIL filed Advocate CR Jaya Sukin, who made allegations against the functioning of the Centre.

The SIT will be headed by former Supreme Court Judge Justice J Chelameswar. Justice Raghvendra Chauhan (former Chief Justice of Uttarakhand and Telangana High Court), Hemant Nagrale IPS (Former Mumbai Police Commissioner), Anish Gupta IRS (Addl Commissioner Customs) are the other members of the SIT.

This comes days after Elephant Madhuri (Mahadevi) case

This comes just a few days after the recent relocation of Madhuri aka Mahadevi, a 36-year-old female elephant, from a Jain temple in Kolhapur, Maharashtra, to the Vantara facility in Gujarat, following Supreme Court and Bombay High Court orders to ensure her rehabilitation for severe health issues, including arthritis and foot problems caused by decades of isolation and concrete confinement. The move sparked massive public protest and outrage, with locals and religious leaders calling for Madhuri’s return and the Maharashtra government seeking a review petition to bring her back, emphasizing religious and cultural significance.

What the Supreme Court said

The Supreme Court bench observed on Monday that the petition has made allegations but does not provide any supporting documents, and such a petition is generally not entertained. However, in this case, the apex court stated, “In the wake of the allegations that the statutory authorities or the Courts are either unwilling or incapable of discharging their mandate, more particularly in the absence of verification of correctness of the factual situation, we consider it appropriate in the ends of justice to call for an independent factual appraisal which may establish the violation, as alleged, if any. Accordingly, we deem it appropriate to direct for constitution of a Special Investigation Team (‘SIT’) of respectable persons of impeccable integrity and high repute having long public service.”

However, the apex court clarified that the order should not be interpreted as casting any doubt on the functioning of any statutory authority or ‘Vantara’ and that the SIT inquiry is only a fact-finding exercise.

What Vantara says

Vantara issued an official statement on Tuesday, where they mentioned that full cooperation will be extended to Supreme Court’s SIT during the investigation.

Vantara stated, “We acknowledge the order of the Hon’ble Supreme Court with utmost regard. Vantara remains committed to transparency, compassion and full compliance with the law. Our mission and focus continues to be the rescue, rehabilitation and care of animals. We will extend full cooperation to the Special Investigation Team and continue our work sincerely, always placing the welfare of animals at the heart of all our efforts.  We request that the process be allowed to take place without speculation and in the best interest of the animals we serve.”

What the SIT will probe about Vantara

The SIT will mainly probe Vantara’s acquisition of animals from India and abroad, especially elephants, the centre’s compliance of Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 and rules for zoos, compliance with import/export laws and other statutory requirements concerning imports/exports of live animals, compliance with standards of animal husbandry, veterinary care, standards of animal welfare, mortalities, allegations concerning location near an industrial zone.

The SIT will also look into allegations of creation of a vanity or private collection, breeding, conservation programs and use of biodiversity resources, alleged misutilisation of water and carbon credits, allegations of breach of provisions of law, trade in animals or animal articles, wildlife smuggling, complaints regarding issues of financial compliance and any other allegations made in these petitions.

Long or Short, get news the way you like. No ads. No redirections. Download Newspin and Stay Alert, The CSR Journal Mobile app, for fast, crisp, clean updates!

App Store –  https://apps.apple.com/in/app/newspin/id6746449540 

Google Play Store – https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.inventifweb.newspin&pcampaignid=web_share